Thoughtful & subjective reviews for the everyday book enthusiast

Review: Human Anatomy (Klenerman)

Human anatomy is an endlessly interesting topic; our bodies are so weird and funny and enigmatic; there are always new things to learn about them. I originally picked up Human Anatomy mid-2015, hoping for an engaging, casual read that’d be fun and informative. However, about halfway through, the content turned a bit dry so I decided to take a break with a mental reminder to return to it later–I suppose a one year delay is better than never!

Quick summary

Human Anatomy covers exactly what you’d expect: a bit about the background and history of the field, the structure and functions of the body including the skeleton and attachments, the interconnected and fundamental systems that enable humans to operate, a brief overview of the brain (which I skimmed after recently finishing The Brain), and how human anatomy has evolved over time.

Thoughts

This book is definitely one to keep to refer back to whenever you need a bit more clarity on the body, but for me, Human Anatomy, was a tad too full-on for my current interest. My biggest qualm was the way the information was presented–sterile and lacking personality. I understand the subject is intricately technical, but I’ve read other books in the Very Short Introductions series that have managed to share highly factual information in a more engaging manner.

Is it for you?

I did, however, learn some new things whilst reading, and it was a great refresher to what I’d previously covered. For those interested in giving Human Anatomy a go, I’d recommend reading it in short bursts as it’s not something you’d pick up on a Saturday morning to relax over with a cup of tea.